South Korea

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Other vaccine preventable risks

The following vaccinations may be considered depending on your itinerary and planned activities. These can be discussed in more detail with one of our travel health consultants.  

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A

Typhoid

Rabies

Japanese B Encephalitis

Tuberculosis

Malaria risk

There is a minimal Malaria risk in the rural areas in the far north, bordering North Korea however malaria tablets are not normally advised. Bite avoidance measures should be taken if travelling to these regions and any onset of fever should be investigated promptly.

Non-vaccine preventable risks

• Travellers' Diarrhoea  is usually caused by eating contaminated food or drinking unsafe water.  Symptoms may be severe with frequent watery stools, thirst, dry mouth and tongue, headache and weakness. Water should always be treated when there is doubt about its cleanliness food that may be contaminated must be thoroughly cooked and hands washed prior to eating.

• HIV infection is spread through sexual intercourse or infected blood or blood products (e.g. through blood transfusions or the use of blood contaminated instruments such as intravenous needles). 

• Dengue Fever, which is often referred to as break-bone fever, is spread through the bite of the mosquito. It causes a feverish illness with headache and muscle pains like a bad, prolonged, attack of influenza. A rash can also develop. It is becoming more common in many parts of the world. Mosquito bites should be avoided whenever possible.

• Korean Haemorrhagic Fever is caused by a virus excreted in the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rodents. It can cause fever, headache, severe back and abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, inflammation of the eyes and rash. As disease progesses it can lead to renal failure and death. Exposure to travellers is unlikely unless living in very poor conditions.